Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-08-26
The National League.

The National League.
Mr.. Gladstone was greeted with cheers in
the British House of Commons yesterday
evening when he arose 10 move this resolu-
| ton:
THAT an humble address be presented to
the Queen, representing that the Vceroy of
Ireland has proclaimed the National League
dangerous association that no informa-
ton has been furnished to Parliament to
justify the proclamation, by virtue of which
her Msiesty's subjects are to be rendered
liable to be punished as criminals, without a
a judicial inquiry into the nature of their
| acts, and that this House, in the absence of
such information, prays that said proclama-
ton shall not continue in force as to the
association named and described therein" J"
Mr. Gladstone said that the Irish Viceroy,
in declaring that the League had melted to
violence, must have acted on information,
but what was that information The Irish
chiefs had right to demand to know the
grounds on which the government had act
ed. If the facts were withheld the opposi-
ton must forthwith urge three propositions
upon the House and the government.
First. That it was slight, almost an out
| rage, on the dignity of Parliament &c sup.
pose that it was to discharge such an i'm
portant statutory duty without knowing the
grounds.
Secondly That it reduced to utter de-
struction and to an ahsurdity the main con.
tention that the government advanced dur
ing the discussion of the Crimes act, that the
safeguard promised had proved farce. He
asked what was the value or meaning OF q
parliamentary approval given in ignorance
of the facts?
Thirdly What could the House think of
information that they must thus know would
not bear the light ? Cheers.
Mr.. Gladstone said he had always con-
tended that the government were legislating
against combinations apart from crime and
now was the time for the government to
show that he and his friends were wrong.
But the government shrank from the test,
and declined the challenge. They had sub.
stituted en- arbitrary will for regular legal
action. This principle was most danger.
Gus and disgracefu one in any country, and
especially in Ireland. Law 10 Ireland was
still on trial. A sgreat misfortune was that
| those who administered it, especially locally,
were not in sympathy with the feelings of
the people. The proclamation of the Ma
tional League was near approach to de-
claraton OF war on the Irish people. The
people of Ireland generally sympGthized
with the League, because they believed that
it had been their salvation. Parnelite
cheers Nobody did anything for the ten.
ants until the League was founded. The
government action absolutely excluded the
House from anything except an absurd and
perfunctory operation in connection with
the great duty devolviDg upon it un-
der the statute. Their cognizance of
this proclamation was reduced to q
mere farce. There would be no
jury, Judge or resident magistrates
there would be nothing but the absolute, un-
! mitigated, arbitrary act of the Irish execu-
tive, which was necessarily partisan. He
hoped that the Irish would continue to bear
the pressure. They would not have to suf
fer long. 1t was certain that they would not
obey the law through fear cheers but from
strong, vivid, buoyant hope, which, even
at the last election, was not damaged, and
which now was brighter end livelier.
Cheers The Irish believed that the gov
ernment's policy had not the sanction ofthe
British nation. Irish cheers. The gov
ernment's foundation was slipping from un.
der them, and their action in reference to
the proclamation of the League showed that
their strength was fading. Ireland seeing
this, trusted the English nation to fulfil her
reasonable wishes, and was Convinced that
her expectations would not be disappointed.
Mr. Gladstone then presented his resolu.
tions amid prolonged cheers.
Mr.. Bafour said that Mr.. Gladstone
| would have been wiser had he rested his ar
| gument on the allegation that the House
was ignorant of the grounds for the procla-
| nation, rather than on defense of the
league. The governments difficulty was
not the finding of evidence to justify the
proclamation, but the selecting OF it from
the enormous mass of evidence they possess
ed. There was sufficient foundation to jus.
| tify the proclamation In the columns of the
local newspapers, without going into the
governments confidential reports. He
quoted at length from documents to show
that the League was guilty of ofboycotting, CO.
ercing, and instigating infractions of the law.
Sir William Vernon Harcourt asked the
Speaker whether the documents from which
he quoted would be submitted to the House
Mr.. Baifour refused to submit the docu.
ments
Sir William asked the Speaker whether
Mr.. Balfour was bound to table the official
| documents cited
L uS SpCohCi iepiieu CDat MI. BallOur was
not bound to table confidential documents
but the case was different with official pa.
pers, which the House might want to verify
/ [Opposition cheers.
Harcourt-After the Speakers ruling.
expect that the papers will be tabled
Balfour-I shall do nothing of the kind
MY documents are OF three sorts-public ant
confidential papers, and my own notes. l
the people realized the true nature ant
working of the League, they would, regard
less of creed or party, support the govern
ment. Ministerial cheers.
Mr. Rslfour accused the oppositiou